By Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – 11 Zaka residents were recently dragged to court for establishing illegal business centers in Mudzikati Village and Mutangiranwa Villages, as part of the ongoing government program, Operation Order No to Land Barons.
The accused appeared before Zaka Magistrate Patience Madondo who sentenced them to four months in prison, wholly suspended for five years.
Should they violate communal land regulations again within five years, the suspended sentence will be enforced without the option of a fine. The court also ordered the accused to vacate the premises within seven days and failure to comply will result in forced eviction by Zaka RDC and ZRP.
State prosecutor David Mavenga informed the court that as of February 2024, the accused unlawfully constructed an illegal business center at Mudzikati Village, Chief Nhema, and Zaka. They opened shops for trading without authorization from Zaka Rural District Council. The accused had no legal right to undertake such actions.
Similar circumstances were observed in Mutangiranwa village, where the accused established a business center without permission. The accused individuals include Joseph Mutanga (52), Medeline Mutanda (27), Doctor Totamira (51), Everisto Muhinga (56), Simbarashe Dembure (30), Martha Chisara (65), Tendai Tsikirai (33), Manyandi Fungwa (49), Tatenda Mushami (27), Krano Chibaya (71), and Aston Mutyoro (52).
Earlier, on February 13, the same court sentenced 32 illegal settlers from Benjamin Village in Jerera to four months, wholly suspended. They were ordered to vacate within seven days, or council and ZRP would demolish their illegal structures. Other affected villages include Manyimo, Bare, Musiso, Mudhumani, and Muchechetere.
The issue of illegal structures around Jerera dates back to around 2014, when people purchased stands in villages around the growth point. Stand prices in these villages range from US$800 to US$1000. Chief Ndanga recently fined all village heads accused of parceling out land earmarked for Jerera’s expansion.
